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I’m sure most people don’t need much persuading to book in for a massage. An hour of uninterrupted relaxation while someone works away on your tight spots is certainly my idea of bliss. But new research shows that the therapeutic benefits of regular massage extend beyond simply feeling good; improved circulation, boosted immunity, stress reduction and injury prevention just to name a few. Not convinced? Read on for a full rundown on the top 5 health benefits, you might be pleasantly surprised.

By the end of most weeks I’m feeling pretty worn out. Hours of sitting at a desk all day plus some pretty intense gym work can take its toll, sore muscles, a stiff neck and headaches that won’t budge are sometimes all too familiar. We put our bodies through a lot and quite often don’t take the time to repair or correct problems caused by modern living.

A little while ago I was referred to Resolve Remedial Massage. Located in Claremont, Resolve is owned and run by Louise Tomlinson whose healing hands have treated Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes. Louise’s treatment is highly effective and personalized to the needs of each and every client and I can honestly say she is the best massage therapist I have come across in years. I try to regularly schedule massages with Louise as I consider them a necessity for my health and paramount to managing and easing pain, treating and preventing injury and reducing stress.

I chatted with Louise to get a run down on the top 5 health benefits to having regular remedial massage…

The most common complaint I see as a remedial therapist is upper body and shoulder tightness. This is largely due to the increased stressors in today’s world. The majority of us tend to carry and store tension in our upper shoulders, which often leads to prolonged poor posture, tightness and tension. Once our muscles become dehydrated and compromised, they start affecting neighbouring structures. For example, the neck muscles then becomes tight, which can cause headaches, joint stiffness and restricted range of motion.

Skin is the body’s largest organ and sadly, often the most overlooked. With so many skincare products on the shelves these days it can be mighty confusing when it comes to choosing the right skincare and all too easy to shell out a small fortune for products that are prettied up with nice branding but in reality, don’t do an awful lot. Proper skincare includes a daily regime that cleanses, corrects, hydrates and protects skin from both internal and external stressors. I spoke to one of Perth’s leading Dermal Therapists and owner of La Belle Peau, Kim Tran, on the importance of good skincare and the products she can’t live without.

Prevention is better than treatmentEarly detection is important to stop issues in their tracks with the right treatment and products. Seeking expert advice from a reputable Dermal Therapist will set you in good stead to understand what is happening with your skin. They have the skills, product knowledge and access to results driven skincare. Look for someone who has the latest skin analysis technology, such as the VISIA Skin Analysis System. This allows them to pick up any underlying issues beneath the surface of the skin that is not yet visible on the outside.

Mix it upYour skin is always changing due to factors such as age and seasons and gets used to the same products if used long term. Mixing up your skincare routine regularly is important to help boost results. The Dermal Therapist you went to see in step one (go on) will be able to guide you on this.

Block it outI can’t stress enough how important it is to reapply sunscreen throughout the day! My favourite trick for those wearing makeup, is to use a sunscreen powder, such as ColoreScience Sunforgettable Powder SPF 50+. The protection kicks in immediately so you don’t have to wait 20 minutes like a traditional sunscreen, plus your foundation stays put!

Say no to sugarSugar attacks your skin cells and collagen fibres, causing a loss of elasticity. So to prevent ageing, reduce your sugar intake! This, in conjunction with a well-balanced lifestyle including plenty of water, sleep and exercise make for the perfect building blocks to getting your skin in tip-top shape.

Heal your gutYour gut and your skin are both organs of detoxification, so if you suffer from acne, rosacea, or any chronic inflammation of the skin, make friends with a good probiotic. An unhealthy gut, where there are more bad than good bacteria can lead to a lot of problems. If you are looking to clear your skin, you have to start with your gut.

Kim’s favourite skincare products…My skincare regime changes all the time due to my commitment to our clients at La Belle Peau. I’m always on the hunt to find the latest and the best in skincare to offer at our clinic. Currently, I have these hardworking heroes on rotation:

Not sure where to start? Book in to see one of La Belle Peau’s Dermal Therapists for a skincare consultation. Trained in cosmeceutical science, La Belle Peau’s therapists will prescribe skincare featuring ingredients that will work best for your skin concerns.

A skincare consultation at La Belle Peau includes a VISIA skin scan and analysis which provides an in depth look at what is happening with the skin and help accurately prescribe the most effective skincare regime. You will also receive a free follow up appointment which includes a VISIA scan to check on progress. La Belle Peau will happily exchange your skincare if it doesn’t show any signs of improvement and offer an additional follow up appointment free of charge. The consultation takes 30 minutes and costs $75, which can be redeemed on treatments at the clinic.

So what are you waiting for? Stop wasting money on skincare that doesn’t work. A skincare consultation at La Belle Peau is life changing. You will walk away with not only an effective skincare regime, but also a greater understanding of your skin. Book now!

Situated on the bustling shopping precinct on Racecourse Road in the leafy suburb of Hamilton, lies a renowned beauty destination hailed for its expert advice and premium facial treatments. Under the direction of Sevine Forster, Realskin Clinic is a salon with a difference, to approach skin health from a holistic perspective and to provide treatments that deliver real, visible results.

Founder and Director, Sevine Forster was drawn to a career of science based facial treatments in Australia after returning from London where she studied and worked for five years. 2014 saw a rebrand and change of location for Realskin, where a more exclusive offering was created for clients seeking high-end speciality treatments. Realskin Clinic offers a range of effective, tailored facial treatments to treat a variety of skin concerns, across three main areas – speciality treatments, clinical facials and skin health facials.

Sevine and her team of internationally trained beauty and skin health therapists work passionately to ensure the highest level of service and care is provided for every valued client. And the proof is in the pudding; beautifully captured photographs of Realskin’s clients adorn the walls of each room, showing new clients just what can be achieved with the right treatment.

It is pre-Christmas and the end of a very long and stressful year is visible in my face; fine lines, congestion and dullness. To help restore balance and skin health, I am booked in for a Signature Facial at Realskin, a sophisticated and luxurious facial ritual that promises results.

I arrive for my treatment on a stormy, humid Brisbane afternoon and greeted in the cool reception by Sevine and her team. The salon is sleek and chic where understated tones of birch, white and soft blues create a relaxed atmosphere and match the Doctor Babor, Ultraceuticals and Jane Iredale skincare products on display.

Shortly after arriving, I am whisked away into a treatment room where I am tucked into a bed of plush white towels, ready for the beautiful experience that is to follow. The room was whisper quiet and soothingly peaceful and it wasn’t long until I had completely blissed out. The Signature Facial is performed with Doctor Babor products, an advanced cosmeceutical line of skincare from Germany.

I am in the very capable hands of Sevine, who began the facial with a deep breathing protocol allowing my body’s energy to flow. Following a selection of advanced facial inclusions, the Babor Contour Mask was applied to my face. Packed with vitamins and healing clay to promote skin rejuvenation for fresh and radiant skin, this contour mask is very thick and cooling, it takes a good 20 minutes to set.

During this time, Sevine performed a gentle Reiki treatment on me. This ancient Japanese healing technique is used to help centre and balance the body and invoke a sense of stillness and clarity. Having never experienced Reiki before, I found this to be a truly unique experience. It was incredibly calming and allowed me to let go of a lot of tension I didn’t even know I was harbouring. Not to mention I slept like a baby that night!

At the end of my treatment, I floated out into the night, skin supple and full of hydration and feeling so incredibly relaxed, rejuvenated and peaceful – the stresses of 2016 well and truly behind me. Despite the indulgences of the festive season, my skin continued to boast that beautiful post-facial glow every day following my treatment, negating the need for much (if any) make up.

This was not your garden-variety facial, it was the precise balance of beauty and results, and an exceptional experience. With Sevine’s calm approach and meticulous attention to detail, she really cared about my experience.

I travel to Brisbane frequently to visit family and there is no doubt I’ll be back on Racecourse Road to visit Sevine and her team at Realskin Clinic as soon as I am back in town!

If you are looking to transform your shape, Pilates is the workout you need in your life. Proven to build a strong core, create long lean muscle, improve posture and strengthen pelvic floor, Pilates is an excellent workout for both men and women, of all ages, abilities and physical conditions. Touted by some of the world’s biggest supermodels as their go-to when preparing for the runway, it is the ultimate all over body workout. And if the toned torsos of Jennifer Hawkins, Adriana Lima and Karlie Kloss are anything to go by, then I’ll have what she’s having!

Transforming bodies one class at time is Pure Moves, a boutique Pilates studio located in the central shopping precinct of Cottesloe. I recently road tested a series of private and group classes at Pure Moves and although I’m still waiting for my offer to join the Victoria’s Secret Angels, the results have been phenomenal.

Image courtesy of Pure Moves

Pure Moves offers a range of Mat and Reformer Pilates, Xtend Barre, Power Plate, TRX and Yoga classes, designed to suit those of all abilities, levels and schedules. Situated upstairs at Cottesloe Central Shopping Centre, the space at Pure Moves is calming and welcoming. Understated hues of birch, white and hints of their signature purple adorn the studio, where regulars and newbies move about with ease, chatting to instructors and preparing for their class.

I recently deviated from my usual weekly Reformer Pilates class to try out the Total Pilates Pack. Perfect for beginners or those new to the studio, the Total Pilates Pack is only $149 and includes 1 private session and any 4 classes from the timetable.

Private Pilates sessions are a great place to start for those new to the world of Pilates as they allow for a specific program to be designed based on your individual goals and needs. These classes are great for understanding how your body moves in a Pilates setting and for instructors to determine if there are any sticky spots to focus on. For me, sitting at a desk means super tight glutes and a pretty stiff back so stretching and strengthening is something I need to work on, as well as improving general posture. We started the session with a little massage on these spots using trigger massage balls followed by a series of exercises and stretches on the Cadillac and Pilates Chair, specifically targeted to my tight and sore spots.

Feeling great after my one-on-one class, I swiftly booked in for a week of different classes at Pure Moves. Next on the list for me was a Power Plate session. These 30-minute classes are perfect for those who are time poor and want to pack in a short but effective workout. Traditional exercises such as planking, lunges, squats and push-ups are performed on a Power Plate machine where different muscle groups are stimulated by a vibrating platform. The constant muscle action is so effective that I seriously felt the burn the next day!

Image courtesy of Pure Moves

After my Power Plate session I was definitely ready for a good stretch, so my next class couldn’t come soon enough. Pilates Mat: Roll and Release. An absolute must-try for anyone who sits at a desk all day, this class is designed to amp up the usual workout of a mat class, with the added core challenge of a foam roller, and boy is it a killer! The class also incorporates stretchy bands to add resistance to leg exercises and toning balls to release super tight muscles.

For a bit of mid-week cardio, I jumped into an Xtend Barre class. This dance and Pilates fusion class is designed to get the heart pumping and those muscles shaking, Xtend Barre works every part of the body, sculpting long, lean muscle. What I love about Xtend Barre is the combination of cardio and toning, it is the ultimate all-in-one for a killer body!

I rounded off my week at Pure Moves with a Reformer Pilates session. One of my favourite workouts, Reformer Pilates involves a variety of exercises performed on a spring-loaded Reformer bed. The intensity of each exercise is controlled by the amount of springs you load up with and is another great all over body workout. Pure Moves cater for all levels with both a Basic and Open Reformer option on the timetable.

With the New Year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to kick start new health and wellness habits. If you’ve never tried Pilates before and are looking to make, visit the team at Pure Moves. Your body will love you for it.

As we start to peel off the layers of clothes, its time to shed some of that beauty winter coat and pare back the routine. I’m all about ‘less is more’ when it comes to beauty during summer, and what better way to embrace our Australian climate than to opt for a more laid back regime this year?

I’ve rounded up the top five products you need in your beauty closet for a stress free Aussie summer.

The Faux TanThis gradual tanner is perfect for a fair skinned chick like me. While you won’t find me baking in the sun for hours during summer, I do love a little sun-kissed glow and I can always count on Bondi Sands to deliver the self-tanning goods. What I love most about the Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is the dual action formula, meaning it hydrates and nourishes skin while gently building up that golden glow. The formula isn’t sticky, but absorbs into the skin and dries within about 10 minutes – any tanner that doesn’t transfer onto my bed sheets or clothes is an instant hero! Plus, the cocoa butter scent will have you dreaming of an island getaway.

The Must Have SunscreenWhen Mecca Cosmetica released Sunbrella Invisible Superspray SPF50+, Australian beauty addicts rejoiced then promptly added 20 of the buggers to cart resulting in a bit of a mass sell out. This weightless, transparent sunscreen for face and body will be making an appearance in beach bags across the nation this summer for its non-greasy formula which stays put through blood, sweat and tears. Okay maybe just sweat and the ocean but you get the idea. Maximum broad-spectrum protection means skin stays shielded from ageing UVA and UVB rays. Bring on the sunshine!

The Multitasking BB CreamPack away the foundation, all you need this summer is this BB Cream by Bobbi Brown that literally does it all. Basically a makeup and skincare hybrid, this little gem provides all day moisture and UV protection while offering the perfect amount of coverage. Formulated with light reflecting pigments, skin appears brighter and younger. What I love most about this BB is the texture, not too heavy and sticky, which is a non-negotiable for those hot summer days.

The Tress ProtectorThroughout summer we expose not only our skin to the elements, your strands take a fair beating against sun, sand and chlorine too! I’ll admit I was a little late to the party with a hair protectant for the hotter months but having used Aveda’s Sun Care Protective Hair Veil,I can vouch for the fact that this is something you need to add to the beach bag this year. Designed to be used as part of a three-part defense and recovery system, this product is a lightweight, water-resistant spray. The UV defense mist forms an invisible screen to help protect hair against the elements for up to 16 hours. And because Aveda always nail the scent of their products, prepare to be transported to a tropical island!

The Scent of SummerThere is something really unique about perfume. The way it sits on every single person’s skin highlights different elements and scents within the fragrance. I have always found perfume to be a really personal thing and was so excited when Byredo released a limited edition scent and left it Unnamed. An ode to the brands loyal customers, staff and retailers, and in celebration of the company’s 10th anniversary, Unnamed is truly yours. The fresh and unisex scent comes with a set of letters for the owner to label it how they like. Laced with notes of gin, pink pepper and fir balsam this fragrance is just delicious – one to add to the Christmas list for sure!

House of Ten is the answer to all of our mani pedi prayers. The luxe nail and waxing studio is the brainchild of #GirlBoss Vanessa Hernandez who, after spending some time living in London, wanted to bring to Perth the same level of pampering she experienced at salons in the UK.

I’ve always wanted to open nail studio so naturally treated myself to a few manis and pedis over there – all in the name of research! I went to so many cool places that all had a point of difference but the main aim was pampering and luxury. I wasn’t rushed out the door, or passed onto another therapist and I wanted to bring some of that individuality and luxury back to Perth.

That level of service is certainly what sets House of Ten apart from the nail salons many of us are used to. Vanessa takes her time with each client, working carefully to deliver a thoroughly relaxing experience. She uses only the best products including Clean Slate and Lush, guaranteed to leave the skin feeling refreshed and pampered.

House of Ten is a nestled in a small shopping complex in Applecross, just off Canning Highway. The beautiful, light filled space is filled with the scent of Clean Slate candles burning, rocking playlists (no Britain’s Got Talent DVD’s playing on repeat here) and the coolest pedicure set-up you ever did see. Hues of pink and grey adorn the ultra cool Scandi-inspired nail stations where I could honestly sit for hours having my cuticles tended to by the best in the biz. Be sure to ask for some nail art too, Vanessa sure knows her way around with some gold foil!

The vision for House of Ten?

I want House of Ten to be the go to place for amazing manis and pedis, and for clients to walk out feeling relaxed and rejuvenated – with some killer nail art if they so desire.

Amen to that!

House of Ten is by appointment only, hello@houseoften.com.au // 0435 715 508

Inner city yoga studios are opening just about everywhere these days, offering city slickers the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the 9-5 with some conveniently located zen. New on the list for Perth is COMO Shambhala Urban Escape…

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape is centrally located in historic heart of Perth at the newly restored State Buildings which, gave the eastern end of the Perth CBD a new lease on life on opening late last year. Part of the State Buildings restoration saw COMO Hotels open the (luxurious) doors to their first Australian property, COMO The Treasury, which is now home to this stunning wellness sanctuary.

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape comprises two blissful locations, the spa, which is tucked away in the hotel, and the wellness studio, fronting St Georges Terrace at the southern end of the State Buildings. Both are open to the public offering sublime spa and beauty treatments (trust me…) and holistic yoga, pilates, fitness and mindfulness.

Christina Ong, owner of COMO Hotels and Resorts, opened the first COMO Shambhala retreat at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. There are now over seven COMO Shambhala locations worldwide including the residential retreat in Bali and Urban Escape in Singapore.

COMO Shambhala follows a healthy living philosophy that takes its inspiration from mythological roots: in ancient Buddhist texts, ‘Shambhala’ refers to a sacred place of bliss.

COMO Shambhala proposes that such tranquillity need not to be found in any specific location but with the right tools, it can be discovered within oneself, by exploring body, mind and spirit.

Stepping off St Georges Terrace and into the wellness center is like entering into another world, the hum of traffic and city life melts into the background as a wave of calm just washes over you. The contemporary luxe studio is simply stunning, with travertine floors throughout reception, beautiful white floor length curtains in the yoga room and stylishly appointed bathrooms (complete with COMO Shambhala amenities), you’ll never want to leave.

Extend your post-Vinyasa bliss with a visit to Post restaurant upstairs and dine on the COMO Shambhala cuisine. Hot tip: the “real toast” is to die for!